Curriculum

English

From the outset, all students are encouraged to develop their speaking and listening skills to enable them to communicate well. A structured phonics programme is in place in the early years to ensure that students progress through a planned pathway to become independent readers by the time they enter the Prep department. The involvement and enjoyment of parents in helping their child to develop this precious skill is actively encouraged. The ability to write in a meaningful way is developed alongside reading.

In the Prep department, the emphasis changes subtly as the students are encouraged to develop the skills of inference and deduction alongside the important skills of grammatical awareness, spelling and presentation. Courses of study provide continuity and differentiated activities or assignments to ensure the inclusion of all students. Progress is continuously monitored at every stage and reported to parents; self assessment is also incorporated.

Mathematics

A strong emphasis is placed on students acquiring secure skills in numeracy. Confidence in the use of number is encouraged from the early years. Mathematical development is realized through an integrated approach where practical activities and investigations support all formal work. Mental arithmetic skills are fostered throughout the school. Enquiry and a positive approach to problem solving are promoted.

From the early years through to Year 4, the class teacher delivers a daily mathematics lesson usually with the support of a teaching assistant. In Years 5 and 6 the subject is taught by a specialist teacher supported by the mathematics teaching assistant.

There is a whole school approach to the planning and delivery of the subject encompassing the National Curriculum and extending beyond the KS2 syllabus to incorporate the demands of 11plus and Common Entrance examination papers. Key skills are visited and extended on a cyclical basis as the students’ understanding of relationships, connections and patterns is developed through shape, space, measures and number systems.

Progress is continuously monitored through assessment at every stage and reported regularly to parents; self assessment is also encouraged.

Science

All students have science lessons at Elm Green and are actively encouraged to explore, investigate and evaluate the world around them and thereby gain knowledge and understanding about the changing Universe in which we live.

The science curriculum is delivered by the class teacher in the Pre-Prep and by a specialist teacher, in a purpose built science room, from Year 3.

Within the science curriculum, students are taught to approach problems systematically. This involves raising key questions, making hypotheses and devising fair tests. These skills contribute to the learning process in other curriculum areas and are invaluable in later life.

Geography

Geography is taught to all children initially within the context of ‘Knowledge and Understanding of the World.’ The development of the subject is realized through the study of human and physical processes that shape the world in which we live.  Students are encouraged to be curious about our ever-changing world, to develop an awareness of global events and to develop strategies to enable informed decision-making.

The geography curriculum is delivered by the class teacher in the Pre-Prep and by a specialist teacher in the Prep department.

Field Trips and excursions complement the class work and provide valuable practical experience of geographical processes.

History

History comes alive at Elm Green! Students can handle historical artefacts, analyse evidence and act out events enjoying costumed, themed events where they can take on the roles of the characters in the period that they are studying.

The history curriculum is delivered by the class teacher in the Pre-Prep and by a specialist teacher in the Prep department.

The history curriculum is mainly taught in chronological order providing a clear overview from pre-history in the early years to modern history in Y6. The school makes good use of its locality as a rich resource for educational trips and research. Visitors include grandparents and local residents who provide our students with opportunities to experience the past at first hand.

French

French is taught throughout the school with an emphasis on basic vocabulary and pronunciation, through games and puppets in order to stimulate confidence and enjoyment in the early years.

As students progress through the school they are exposed to more grammatical structure and reading and writing skills in French.

An emphasis on listening and speaking, supported by a variety of resources including ICT is promoted from the outset. Students are also encouraged to explore the various cultural aspects of France.

Computing

Computing plays an important role in the school’s curriculum and this reflects its use in the world in which we currently live as well as the future. Technical skills for the use of essential software packages including word-processing, spreadsheets, multi-media presentations, control technology, internet usage, website design and graphic design/modeling are taught. Fundamentally, students are encouraged to view a computer as a tool that can facilitate the completion of a task or the production of material for a given audience and purpose.

Computing is introduced from the outset by a specialist teacher working with small groups of students. It is further developed as they progress through the school in their class.

An increasing emphasis is now placed on students understanding the importance of carefully written software and developing computing skills. Consequently they are not only ‘operators’ but ‘programmers’ and various units of study are embedded in the curriculum.

Computers also facilitate learning and research across the whole school curriculum. By combining these approaches, students develop the confidence, knowledge and perception, not only to achieve many goals using computers, but also to control them and take full advantage of their potential.

PSHE

Personal, social and health education is embedded in all aspects of school life. From the outset, students learn about themselves as individuals and members of their various communities. The skills, rules and responsibilities of keeping healthy and safe, together with care for the environment in which they live and learn, alongside an awareness of their own and others’ feelings, views, needs and rights are encouraged. Social skills are developed to enable all students to take an active, successful role in the life of the school and the local community. The school’s values are promoted widely in every class.

As students mature they learn about themselves as growing and changing individuals in the wider world of interdependent communities. We aim to develop social justice and moral responsibility as students begin to understand that their own actions and choices can affect local, national or global issues as well as social and political institutions. We aim to support and encourage students through their life tasks with a particular emphasis on induction when students join the school and transition in Y6 as students prepare to leave for senior school.

Numerous visitors support the staff in this process; residential and day trips encourage teamwork; positions of responsibility are awarded and elections to the School Council take place; charities are researched and supported and projects to support the local community are encouraged. 

Art & Design

Art is taught through demonstration, experimentation and practice. Our students are introduced to a wide variety of materials, media and techniques to enable them to choose the right methods to best communicate their ideas and feelings. They are exposed to the work of many different artists and movements from the past and present.

All students will have an opportunity to explore ways of working with clay. The school has a designated pottery with a potter’s wheel and kiln to fire their finished pieces of work.

Our over-riding aim is for our students to leave Elm Green with the confidence and enjoyment of the creative process whatever their level of ability.

Music

The music department is committed to providing all students with the opportunity to develop their creative talents through Music and Drama.

From the outset, our students are introduced to a variety of instruments within the classroom; they listen to a wide range of musical styles and learn to express their thoughts through appropriate musical vocabulary. This continues as they progress through the school. By the time they reach Year 6- they are confident players of the keyboards, recorders and classroom percussion instruments. They also have experience of composing in different styles and can speak knowledgeably about the music they hear.

Instrumental teachers provide lessons on strings, woodwind, guitar, piano, percussion and singing. A large number of students learn to play a musical instrument and regular performances in assembly, to parents or in competitions and concerts provide students with the experience of performing to an audience.

Drama

Drama is integrated into Music and Movement or other class activities in the Pre-Prep and then developed as a separate discipline in the Prep School. As well as building self confidence and teamwork, students have the opportunity to discuss and improvise issues relevant to Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE). Drama complements the teaching of English and other subjects through the use of role play, speech development, movement and characterization.

Dramatic performances are organized for assemblies and special events; Year 6 leavers always present a musical production. Recent successful productions such as ‘Annie’, ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ have been praised for their professionalism.

Our over-riding aim is for students to leave Elm Green as self-disciplined, aesthetically sensitive and creative individuals. By providing access to the performing arts we believe they will gain lifelong fulfillment.

Physical Education

Physical Education and sport are important parts of daily school life and students experience a varied programme of activities through the course of each year. In the Pre-Prep there is an emphasis on developing confidence and physical competence with a focus on acquiring and developing generic skills in balance, control, co-ordination, speed and agility building on children’s natural enthusiasm for movement.

In the Prep department students are introduced to specific sports with a greater focus on rules and tactical play as they participate in more competitive situations such as inter-house events, fixtures and tournaments with other local schools. The school also participates in IAPS competitions, local sports festivals and district events and tournaments.

The school has experienced success in national, regional and local levels, but a fundamental aim is to include every child in events to enable opportunities and success at every level. Students may work as individuals, within a group or as part of a team in PE and games lessons.

Lessons are taught by qualified, experienced and enthusiastic specialist teachers and sports coaches throughout the school. The school has a hall for gymnastics and indoor events, an indoor swimming pool, a tennis/netball court and a large sportsfield where football, rugby, cricket, rounders and athletics take place. The school is located next to National Trust woodland that is an ideal venue for cross-country events.

There are many extra-curricular clubs and activities organized by the department with additional opportunities for students to experience dance, fencing, mini-tennis, skipping and extra swimming lessons.

Progress is continuously monitored through assessment and reported regularly to parents; self assessment is also encouraged.

Religious Education

Elm Green School values the religious beliefs and backgrounds of all its members and encourages individuals to share their knowledge and experience of religion. Our aim is to ensure that Religious Education is perceived by our children as being ‘alive’ and relevant to all our personal lives.

The subject is delivered by the class teacher in the Pre-Prep and by a specialist in the Prep Department. Our teaching enables students to acquire knowledge and understanding of the main beliefs and religions, and to develop respect and sensitivity for these together with an appreciation of the impact that faith has on the life of a believer.

The different places of worship are visited and students can handle religious artefacts  and learn through a range of media.

Learning Support

Elm Green is an inclusive school that values each student and believes that all students have a right of equal access to a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum.

Many students may be identified with Special Educational Needs, temporarily or long term, at some stage of their school career and we aim to meet their needs within school seeking support from relevant professionals where necessary.

The involvement of all members of the school community in the education of these students is encouraged. Consequently, through the organization of the teaching environment, teaching resources, teaching styles and differentiation we encourage students to enjoy their learning and achieve to the best of their ability across the curriculum.

Additional learning support sessions to reinforce specific skills and knowledge may take place outside the classroom. Regular review meetings and an ‘Open Door’ policy enables a partnership between parents, teachers and students to ensure effective implementation of available support

Latin

Latin is introduced in Y5 and at Elm Green School the aim is to enthuse students to learn another language and to encourage them to consider the roots of modern English.

Latin is taught by a specialist teacher on a weekly basis through interactive and engaging lessons that combine the introduction of vocabulary with conversation practice and other activities. Students are given the opportunity to communicate in Latin with each other and with their teacher in every lesson.

The Minimus text books and other resources are used to support students’ learning. Latin comic strips, songs and even Harry Potter spells are used as enjoyable and exciting ways of translating Latin phrases. Year 6 students enjoy and benefit greatly from this introduction to the language.